The Honorable Douglas E. Arpert (Ret.) joined Walsh after a distinguished legal career spanning four decades, including 15 years as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey. He brings tremendous legal and judicial experience and an incredible insight into resolving highly complex disputes. Judge Arpert is a leader in the firm’s Mediation, Arbitration, and Special Master Appointments practice alongside the Honorable Mark Falk (Ret.).
Judge Arpert was appointed to his first term as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey in April 2009. He was reappointed in April 2017. During his tenure as a U.S. Magistrate Judge, he presided over thousands of significant and often complex and high-stake pretrial matters, and he facilitated settlements in hundreds of complex commercial disputes. His extensive experience, coupled with his perceptive, even-handed, and creative approach to resolving disputes will be an immense asset to the firm’s lawyers and clients.
Prior to taking the bench, Judge Arpert served as the Managing Partner of a mid-sized law firm in northern New Jersey, specializing in complex commercial litigation, products liability defense, and the defense of ERISA-based life, health and disability claims for Fortune 500 companies and major insurance carriers. Before private practice, Judge Arpert served as both a municipal public defender and then a municipal prosecutor. As a result of these varied experiences and relationships both on and off the bench, Judge Arpert brings tremendous knowledge, insight, and a fresh perspective to resolving highly complex disputes.
Judge Arpert earned his law degree from Emory University School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Barrister and a National Finalist for the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, and a bachelor’s degree from Franklin and Marshall College. He also clerked for the Honorable Clarkson S. Fisher, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
- Member – Judicial Conference of the United States Committee on Judicial Security (2015 – 2023)
- Chair, Security Committee – Federal Magistrate Judges Association (2016 – 2023)
- Member – Federal Magistrate Judges Association (2009 – Present)
- Member – Third Circuit Judicial Council Committee on Facilities and Security (2015 – 2024)
- Chair, Board of Judges Committee on Education and Collegiality – U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (2015 – 2024)
- Local Patent Rules Advisory Committee – U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (2015 – Present)
- Lawyers Advisory Committee – U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (2007 – Present)
- Master, John C. Lifland American Inn of Court – U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (2004 – Present)
- Director, Historical Society – U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (2003 – Present)
- President, Historical Society – U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (2006 – 2009)
- Member – Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Magistrate Judges Advisory Board (2014 – 2017, 2022 -2024)
- Hurricane Sandy Steering Committee – U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (2014 – 2016)
- Trustee – Passaic County Bar Association (2005 – 2009)
- Judicial & Prosecutorial Selection Committee – Passaic County Bar Association (2005 – 2009)
- Civil Liaison Committee – Passaic County Bar Association (2004 – 2009)
- Member, Eagle Scout Association – Boy Scouts of America (1997-Present)
- Donald A. Robinson Award, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
- ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition; Regional Champion, National Finalist, Best Oralist Award
- Order of the Barrister, Emory University School of Law